Florida’s economy, demographics leave candidates frustrated and uncertain to the very end

To the last minute, Florida is proving to be an expensive and frustrating state for President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney alike, seemingly resistant to arguments that play well in Ohio, Colorado and other states. For all the talk of Florida leaning Republican, both nominees are making stops here in the campaign’s final 40 hours, a testament to its uncertainty. Their campaigns and allies have poured $130 million into Florida TV ads. More from the AP.

See also:
» How to have a worry-free Election Day
» Five things that could go wrong on Election Day in Florida
» The Amendments, in detail

---

Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
How to use landing pages to get leads that convert

If you make it hard for prospects to find what you’ve promised, they’ll give up and go away. It’s up to you to guide them exactly in the direction you want them to take. A landing page does that and more. Read Ron Stein's full column.

---

Watch out for employment scams

Sports Business Athletes buy restaurant franchises to build financial futures Quentin Richardson was cut from the Orlando Magic late last month, but even if another team doesn't pick him up, he has another career option as a restaurant owner. Richardson is one of many athletes who have turned to franchising as a way to diversify incomes and plan for life after sports. » More from the Orlando Sentinel. Related Florida Trend Archived Content » The Business of Sports: Play Money.

An increasing number of employment scams are using the names of legitimate businesses and organizations to lure job seekers, warns Broward County's Workforce One employment agency. While the Internet has made it easier to look for a job, it also has provided a platform for sophisticated scammers to take advantage of individuals who are desperate to find a job. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

---

Plans fizzle for Florida energy crop jatropha

A few years ago, it seemed jatropha might take root as a new energy crop in Florida. But growth plans for the crop -- and other biofuel crops -- have been stunted. More at the Naples Daily News.

---

Small Business Advice
The importance of succession planning

Every business should have succession plans for its key personnel as part of its overall strategic plan. It is critical to identify personnel vulnerabilities and determine how you might overcome them. It is so easy to ignore these issues, but doing so puts the firm in a very precarious position. More small business advice from Jerry Osteryoung.

Social Media Trends How to use hashtags to grow your business If you’re a small business owner that uses Twitter to promote your company, you’ve probably heard of a hashtag. There are literally millions of them. Did you know that as a small business, hashtags can actually boost your bottom line? To help you learn how to use hashtags effectively, the Miami Herald has prepared a how-to guide to get you started. » Source

---